Plastic compound and the method of manufacturing same.



llrrn STATES ATENT rrrcn.

LEONARD M. RANDOLPH, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- FIFTHS TOBANOROFT G. BRAINE AND LAWRENCE F. BRAINE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PLASTIC COMPOUND AND THE METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 699,713, dated May 13,1902. Application filed September 5, 1901. Serial No. 74,443- (Nospecimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD M. RANDOLPH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, haveinvented an Improved Plastic Compound and the Method of Manufacturingthe Same, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a plastic compound adapted for use generally inthe arts, and particularly as a covering for electrical implements,wires, and cables.

Various compounds have heretofore been employed for use in the arts forcovering metal parts of electrical implements, the wires employed forelectric conductors, and cables; but these compounds have been more orless imperfect in the uses intended thereforand more or less imperfectfor insulating purposes.

They have been subject to deterioration under certain conditions, suchas the conditions of heat, cold, and moisture; and the object of myinvention is to provide a plastic compound superior to those heretoforeemployed and better adapted for use in the arts and which when employedas an insulator shall possess the quality of substantially perfectinsulalation, shall be proof against acid and other chemicals, andagainst heat, cold, and moisture.

The plastic compound or material employed by me is of a homogeneous andtenacious character, is adapted to be molded into useful shapes, andalso to adhere to metals of 5 various forms.

In carrying out myinvention I employ the following materials to formsaid plastic compound: a waste product from the manufacture of varnish,japans, and shellac-that is,

the cleanings of tanks holding such materials and known as varnishresidue or mud, as called in the trade-the earthy material known as peator turf, the material known as oakum, and a coloring-matter of thedesired shade and quantity. These materials are brought together in thefollowing order and manner: I take varnish residue or mud and peat inequal parts. These are thoroughly mixed together in a suitablemixing-machine and are thereafter allowed to dry. This mass after dryingis broken up and heated hot. When in the latter condition, from ten to:twenty per cent. of oakum is added and thoroughly mixed, and then acoloring-matterofthedesiredshadeandquantity is added, and the whole isbrought into a homogeneous mass and is thereafter placed in an oven anddried. After drying the compound is broken up and ground to a fineconsistency and is ready for use. When it is desired to use such mass ofmaterial, the same is heated and placed in suitable dies, which dies arealso heated, and pressure is applied to the dies containing the hotplastic material, and said pressure is maintained for approximately aperiod of fifteen minutes. The material thereafter and while remainingin the dies is allowed to set and become cold and is then removed fromthe dies and is ready or prepared for the market. This material can alsobe turned and the surface rendered very smooth and polished, if desired.This material is adapted to various uses in the arts and manufactures.Its utility is not specially limited. It is exceedingly useful I as aninsulating compound for covering parts of electrical instruments Whererubber and other insulating substances have heretofore been employed.The said compound is also adapted as a covering for wires and cables,for making insulators and blocks of various forms as a basis to receiveelectrical devices, such as have heretofore been made in porcelain. Thematerial is exceedingly cheap, is very strong, and durable. It is proofagainst 8 5 acid and other chemicals, as well as against heat, cold, andmoisture, and it is consequently very durable. The materialmay also beemployed for washers in plumbing appliances and for packings in parts ofengines 0 and valves. It may also be employed for making golf-balls andsimilar devices. In fact, I do not limit myself in any respect to theapplications of the device, as it is obvious that it may be employed inmany ways where its useful properties are especially advantageous.

I claim as my invention- 1. The plastic compound herein described,consisting of varnish residue,peat and oakum, substantially as setforth.

2. The plastic compound herein described, consisting of varnish residue,peat and oakum and a coloring-matter of the desired shade and quantity,substantially as set forth.

3. The plastic compound herein described, consisting of substantiallyequal parts of varnish residue and peat and from ten to twenty per cent.of oakum, substantially as set forth.

4. The plastic compound herein described, consisting of substantiallyequal parts of varnish residue and peat and from ten to twenty per cent.of oakum and a coloring-matter of the desired shade and quantity,substantially as set forth.

5. The method of manufacturing the plastic compound herein specified,consisting in taking equal parts of varnish residue and peat, thoroughlymixing the same and allowing the material to dry, breaking up thecompound and then heating the same until hot, adding thereto in the hotcondition from ten to twenty per cent. of oakum and thoroughlyincorporating the same with the other ingredients, placing such materialin an oven or suitable heater, drying the same, breaking up and grindingthe said material into a fine consistency to prepare the same formolding into the desired form, substantially as set forth.

6. The method of manufacturing the plastic compound herein specified,consisting in taking equal parts of varnish residue and peat, thoroughlymixing the same and allowing the material to dry, breaking up thecompound

